More than $118,000 worth of dodgy products have been seized from a Sydney phone retailer, and crushed, after a NSW Fair Trading crackdown.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said destroying the counterfeit phone chargers and accessories from Phone City sent a strong message that this government will not tolerate potentially dangerous products on the market.
“I’m putting consumers first and that’s why thousands of these dodgy products have been permanently removed from the marketplace,” Mr Kean said.
“NSW retailers should consider themselves on notice; if you attempt to import or sell dangerous products that risk consumer safety you can expect a visit from Fair Trading.”
Mr Kean said Fair Trading seized the goods following a tip-off from the Australian Border Force about a shipment of USB chargers, and other goods, coming into the state.
“The phone chargers were not approved for use in NSW, so they were quickly seized by Fair Trading,” he said.
“Inquiries soon revealed that while the goods appeared similar to Apple chargers, they were not genuine products, and may have posed a serious safety risk to consumers.”
NSW Fair Trading later conducted simultaneous search warrants and inspections at Phone City’s Clyde warehouse and retail stores, during which they seized more than 10,000 items.
The dangerous charger components were found to be in clear contravention of the Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2004, which strictly governs the testing, approval, and marking of electrical products before they are sold.
Earlier this year, NSW Fair trading finalised an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) against Phone City, which ordered the business to pay a $30,000 fine, agree to the destruction of the seized goods, and ensure higher standards of trade in future.
“An EU is an alternative to prosecution through the courts, which can offer significantly greater benefits to the workplace, industry and community,” Mr Kean said.
